We Service Mobile Parks In Michigan Including Macomb County, Oakland County, Lapeer County, St Clair County, Wayne County And More
Emergency Services
For emergency service, call now:
(586) 610-8608⚡ Fast Response | Expert Repairs | Trusted Service
For emergency service, call now:
(586) 610-8608⚡ Fast Response | Expert Repairs | Trusted Service
July 17, 2024
.jpg)
Manufactured homeowners in Michigan enjoy the beauty of nature right at their doorstep, but with it comes the potential for encounters with wildlife. From curious raccoons to majestic deer, Michigan's diverse wildlife population can sometimes pose challenges for homeowners.
Living in a manufactured home in Michigan offers many benefits, including affordability, flexibility, and a connection to nature. However, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with sharing your living space with wildlife. Whether you reside in a rural area surrounded by forests or a suburban community near green spaces, understanding wildlife safety and prevention measures is crucial for safeguarding your home and ensuring the well-being of your family.
1. Bears: Michigan is home to both black bears and occasional sightings of grizzly bears. While black bears are generally shy and avoid human contact, they may become attracted to manufactured homes due to the smell of food or garbage. Bear encounters can result in property damage and pose safety risks, particularly if the bear feels threatened or cornered.
2. Deer: White-tailed deer are abundant in Michigan and can often be spotted grazing in fields and wooded areas. While deer typically pose minimal threats to manufactured homes, they can cause damage to landscaping, gardens, and crops. Additionally, deer-vehicle collisions are a significant concern for homeowners living in rural or suburban areas with high deer populations.
3. Raccoons: Raccoons are adaptable creatures commonly found in both urban and rural environments throughout Michigan. These intelligent animals are notorious for rummaging through garbage bins and creating mischief around homes. Raccoon encounters can lead to property damage, sanitation issues, and potential health risks due to the spread of diseases such as rabies and distemper.
4. Coyotes: Coyotes are prevalent in Michigan's rural and suburban areas, where they hunt small mammals, birds, and occasionally, domestic pets. While coyotes typically avoid human contact, they may become attracted to residential areas in search of food sources. Coyote encounters can pose risks to small pets and livestock, as well as potential safety concerns for residents.
1. Property Damage: Wildlife encounters can result in property damage, including structural damage to manufactured homes, landscaping destruction, and damage to outdoor belongings such as furniture, vehicles, and garden structures.
2. Health Risks: Some wildlife species may carry diseases or parasites that can pose health risks to residents and pets. Additionally, encounters with aggressive or territorial animals may lead to bites, scratches, or other injuries.
3. Safety Concerns: Wildlife encounters can pose safety risks for residents, particularly if animals feel threatened or cornered. Deer-vehicle collisions, aggressive behavior from bears or coyotes, and accidental encounters with venomous snakes are potential safety concerns for homeowners.
4. Nuisance Behavior: Wildlife species such as raccoons, skunks, and squirrels may exhibit nuisance behavior, including raiding garbage bins, nesting in attics or crawl spaces, and causing disturbances during mating or feeding seasons.
- Inspect Your Home: Conduct a thorough inspection of your manufactured home to identify potential entry points for wildlife, including gaps around doors and windows, holes in walls or siding, and openings around utility penetrations.
- Seal Cracks and Openings: Use weatherproof sealants, caulking, or expanding foam to seal cracks, gaps, and openings that could serve as entry points for wildlife. Pay special attention to areas where pipes, wires, or vents enter your home.
- Install Door Sweeps and Screens: Install door sweeps and screens on exterior doors to prevent wildlife from entering your home through gaps under doors or open windows. Ensure that screens are secure and free of tears or damage.
- Choose Wildlife-Resistant Fencing: Install wildlife-resistant fencing around your property to create a physical barrier that deters animals from entering. Choose fencing materials and designs that are sturdy, tall enough to discourage jumping or climbing, and buried underground to prevent burrowing.
- Secure Trash Bins: Use wildlife-resistant trash bins with secure lids to prevent animals such as raccoons and bears from accessing food waste. Store trash bins in a secure location or use bungee cords or locks to secure lids. Check with your local facility for approved receptacles.
- Protect Garden Areas: Install fencing or garden netting around vegetable gardens, flower beds, and other landscaping features to prevent wildlife from damaging plants or digging for food. Consider using motion-activated sprinklers or sound deterrents to scare away animals.
- Motion-Activated Lights and Alarms: Install motion-activated lights or alarms around your property to deter nocturnal animals such as raccoons, coyotes, and deer. Bright lights and loud noises can startle animals and discourage them from approaching your home.
- Natural Repellents: Use natural repellents such as predator urine, peppermint oil, or vinegar to deter wildlife from entering your property. Apply repellents around entry points, garbage bins, and garden areas to create a deterrent barrier.
- Scare Devices: Use scare devices such as scarecrows, reflective tape, or decoy predators to frighten wildlife away from your property. Rotate scare tactics regularly to prevent animals from becoming accustomed to them.
- Clear Vegetation: Keep vegetation trimmed and maintained around your home to eliminate hiding spots and reduce cover for wildlife. Clear away brush, tall grass, and dense shrubbery near your home to minimize opportunities for animals to conceal themselves.
- Limit Food Sources: Remove or secure potential food sources that may attract wildlife, such as bird feeders, pet food bowls, and compost piles. Store garbage bins in wildlife-resistant containers and ensure that lids are securely closed to prevent animals from accessing food waste.
- Choose Native Plants: Select native plant species for landscaping around your manufactured home, as they are better adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. Native plants provide food and habitat for native wildlife species while requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance.
- Create Buffer Zones: Create buffer zones of native plants between your home and surrounding natural areas to discourage wildlife from approaching your property. Choose dense, thorny, or aromatic plant species that are less attractive to browsing animals.
- Install Hardscaping Elements: Incorporate hardscaping features such as gravel paths, rock gardens, and paved patios into your landscaping design to create barriers that deter wildlife. These features make it difficult for animals to access your home and provide visual and physical deterrents.
- Use Natural Barriers: Use natural barriers such as boulders, logs, or fencing to create physical barriers that prevent wildlife from accessing vulnerable areas of your property. Strategically place barriers around gardens, entry points, and outdoor living spaces to deter animals from approaching your home.
1. Secure Trash Bins: Use wildlife-resistant trash bins with secure lids to prevent animals from accessing food waste and other attractants. Ensure that trash bins are kept securely closed at all times and stored in a secure location, such as a garage or shed, until pickup day.
2. Compost Food Waste: Composting food waste reduces the amount of organic material in your trash and eliminates odors that may attract wildlife. Use a secure compost bin or pile to compost fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and yard waste, and avoid composting meat, dairy, or oily foods that may attract scavengers.
3. Store Pet Food Indoors: Keep pet food and water bowls indoors or in a secure outdoor location to prevent wildlife from accessing them. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors unattended, especially overnight, and store bulk pet food in sealed containers to minimize odors.
4. Clean Outdoor Eating Areas: After outdoor meals or gatherings, promptly clean up food scraps, crumbs, and spills to remove potential attractants for wildlife. Use a broom or leaf blower to sweep outdoor eating areas and dispose of food waste in sealed trash bins.
5. Educate Family Members and Visitors: Ensure that all family members and visitors are aware of proper waste management practices and understand the importance of minimizing wildlife attractants. Encourage everyone to follow guidelines for securing trash bins, composting food waste, and storing pet food indoors.
1. Stay Calm: Remain calm and avoid sudden movements or loud noises that may startle or provoke the animal. Keep a safe distance and observe the animal's behavior to assess whether it poses a threat.
2. Keep Your Distance: Maintain a safe distance from the wildlife, allowing the animal space to move freely without feeling threatened or cornered. Avoid approaching or attempting to touch the animal, as this may provoke a defensive reaction.
3. Do Not Feed Wildlife: Avoid feeding wildlife or offering them food, as this can habituate animals to human presence and encourage them to seek out food sources near your home. Feeding wildlife can also lead to aggressive behavior and dependency on human food.
4. Secure Pets: Keep pets indoors or on a leash when wildlife is present to prevent confrontations or injuries. Do not allow pets to chase or harass wildlife, as this can lead to aggressive behavior from both animals.
5. Contact Wildlife Authorities: If you encounter wildlife behaving aggressively, displaying signs of illness or injury, or posing a threat to human safety, contact local wildlife authorities or animal control agencies for assistance. Trained professionals can safely handle wildlife situations and provide guidance on appropriate actions.
6. Consult Wildlife Experts: If you're unsure how to handle a wildlife encounter or if you have concerns about wildlife behavior near your home, consult wildlife experts or conservation organizations for advice and assistance. They can provide valuable insights and resources for managing wildlife encounters effectively.
Additional Resources:
Services in the Hartland, Michigan Area
Hartland Trash Hauling & Recycling
Oakland Waste & Recycling Information
We Service Mobile Parks In Michigan Including Macomb County, Oakland County, Lapeer County, St Clair County, Wayne County And More